Criminal Records Bureau

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: On 27 February 2003, my right honourable friend the Home Secretary announced the Government's response to the recommendations of the independent review team appointed the previous September to take a fundamental look at the operation of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). One of its recommendations was that the Capita contract should be renegotiated to align the contract to the changed and evolving circumstances that had occurred since the original contract was signed back in August 2000. Following a thorough and constructive period of negotiation, the Criminal Records Bureau and Capita signed a revised contract on 22 December 2003.
	The revised contract is a major step forward for the CRB and represents a substantial improvement over the previous terms. The revised contract now provides for:
	as a result of recent and planned efficiency savings, from October 2004, a significant reduction in the price paid to Capita for processing each disclosure application;
	the ability to achieve year-on-year operational cost reductions with further incentives to reduce operational costs over the lifetime of the contract; any such cost savings would be reflected in further price reductions; pricing levels matched to guaranteed volumes, agreed on a bi-annual basis;
	additional contractual performance measures including both qualitative and quantitative standards to enhance further the disclosure service; far greater clarity of roles and responsibilities within the partnership;
	incentives to allow Capita to further enhance the IT and other technical systems to meet evolving process and output requirements;
	the implementation of recommendations made by independent consultants on the IT system;
	an improved agreement in respect of financial penalties for failing to meet agreed performance standards, which have been revised to meet the evolving circumstances that had occurred since the original contract was signed back in August 2000;
	a one-off payment to Capita of £3.6 million in final settlement of the earlier agreed contract change, which provided for the introduction of the blank application form. The payment covered the additional cost of processing the blank application forms in the period February to September 2003.
	Capita's part in the renegotiation underlined its commitment to this partnership and to this important public service. It also reinforced our belief that it was preferable to continue with the partnership if at all possible. The partnership approach, with continued open book accounting and commitment shown during this renegotiation augurs well for the future.
	The CRB is now on a sound footing and through the revised contract will now have far greater flexibility to improve and develop the disclosure service over the coming years.

Terrorism Act 2000: Report on Part VII

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Lord Carlile of Berriew QC has completed the report on the operation of Part VII of the Act, which will be laid before the House today.

Planning Appeal Procedures Review

Lord Rooker: My right honourable friend the Minister for Housing and Planning has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	When the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister introduced new procedures in August 2000 to improve the handling of planning appeals we said that their operation would be monitored and reviewed. The outcome of the most recent review has suggested a need for some changes to be made.
	Concern was expressed during the course of the review by a wide range of stakeholders about the perceived inequity for third parties taking part in the appeals process. It was considered anomalous that the rules do not allow third parties to comment on the appeal statements made by the main parties. In order to address this inequity and more fully involve all members of the community in the planning process, we intend to conduct a consultation on proposals to amend the rules for written representations, hearings and inquiries procedures. The proposed amendment would allow third parties that have commented at the six-week stage a further opportunity to comment on main parties' appeal statements at the nine-week stage of an appeal.
	We shall also be amending the rules to take account of drafting amendments suggested by the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and to correct minor technical anomalies.

Gurkha Married Accompanied Service Policy

Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	On 4 June 2003, it was announced that the Ministry of Defence would undertake a review of Gurkha Married Accompanied Service (MAS) policy. The aim of the review was to consider whether the current arrangements were satisfactory and what changes, if any, would be necessary. In examining possible changes, the review team are also considering whether any of the special circumstances of Gurkha employment justify MAS restrictions and, if so, to what extent.
	The review team is studying a number of options, the detailed work of which is not yet complete. I had originally hoped to announce the outcome of the review to the House by the end of 2003. I anticipate being in a position to make a full and substantive announcement to the House on the outcome of the review later in the year.

Armed Forces: Pensions and Compensation

Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	The House of Commons Defence Committee published its report on Armed Forces Pensions and Compensation on 16 December 2003 (HC 96). The Government's response is published today in a Command Paper (Cm. 6109), ahead of the Second Reading debate on the Armed Forces (Pensions and Compensation) Bill on Tuesday 20 January. Copies are available in the Vote Office from 12 o'clock.

Normandy Landings Commemoration

Lord Bach: My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Ivor Caplin) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.
	We are pleased to announce that Her Majesty the Queen and my right honourable friend the Prime Minister have accepted invitations from the President of France to attend commemorations of the 60th anniversary of the Normandy Landings in France in June this year. Further information about the programme, including attendance by other members of the Royal Family and representatives of the Government, will be issued in due course.

Museums: Private Giving and Government Support

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Securing the Best for our Museums: Private Giving and Government Support report has been published today and copies are available in the Libraries of both Houses and in the Printed Paper Office. Copies will also be sent to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.
	Sir Nicholas Goodison has been appointed to lead a review of the effectiveness and efficiency of support to regional and national museums and galleries to help them to acquire works of art and culture of distinction that might otherwise be sold abroad, and to make those items accessible to the public. This review was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in Budget 2003. The review is now complete and the Securing the Best for Our Museums: Private Giving and Government Support report contains Sir Nicholas Goodison's findings and recommendations.
	The Government will carefully consider the recommendations ahead of Budget 2004 and as part of the 2004 spending review.